Apparatus for registration treatment of plastic webs

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for the registration treatment and processing of a continuous web of stretchable material, wherein a relatively non-stretchable endless belt is passed through a plurality of work stations, includes means for applying an adhesive to one side of the belt, at a first station in the apparatus, and means for directing a continuous web of the stretchable material into contact with the adhesive on the belt at a second station downstream of the first station, thereby to firmly secure the web to the belt. The latter has a plurality of openings defining work areas which expose the side of the web facing the belt for later treatment of that side at subsequent web processing stations. One of the processing stations performs a first web treatment operation, such as for example a printing operation on one side of the web, and a second web treatment operation is performed at a second processing station in registration with the first web treatment operation. The web processing stations include means which cooperate with the belt to maintain the work areas at the processing stations in registration so that the web treatments are in registry when they are performed. After completion of the web treatment, the web is stripped from the belt and removed from the apparatus.

Peterson Oct. 8, 1974 APPARATUS FOR REGISTRATION TREATMENT OF PLASTICWEBS Primary Examiner-William A. Powell Assistant Examiner-Brian J.Leitten Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lewis H. Eslinger, Esq.;

[76] Inventor: Everett A. Petersn, l13 St. Marks P1., Roslyn Heights,NY. 11517 Alvm Smderbrand PP N 267,660 A method and apparatus for theregistration treatment and processing of a continuous web of stretchablematerial, wherein a relatively non-stretchable endless belt [52] U S Cl156/384 156/209 156/277 is passed through a plurality of work stations,includes 156/32 1 156/5 11 156/389 156/547 156 5 means for applying anadhesive t0 one side Of the belt,

[51] Int Cl 7 841m l/26 at a first station in the apparatus, and meansfor di- [58] Field l 324 543 recting a continuous web of the stretchablematerial 156/547 into contact with the adhesive on the belt at a second6 g station downstream of the first station, thereby to firmly securethe web to the belt. The latter has a plurality of openings definingwork areas which expose the side of the web facing the belt for latertreatment References C'ted of that side at subsequent web processingstations. UNITED STATE PATENTS One of the processing stations performs afirst web 1,100,790 6/1914 Stein 156/388 treatment operation, such asfor example a printing 1,829,981 11/1931 Cooper... 156/549 X operationon one side of the web, and a second web 2.12 929 3 Gurfviek 156/324 Xtreatment operation is performed at a second process- 2,373,376 4/1945Bolling 144/279 Station i i t ti ith th fi t b t t t 2,424,508 7/1947S1mmonds 15642518641); operation The web processing Stations includemeans g g which cooperate with the belt to maintain the work 698 3/1963g gzizg 101/129 areas at the processing stations in registration so that3'413184 11/1968 Findlay et al... :1: 161/160 the Web treatments are inregistry when y are P 3:533:868 10/1910 Kowalewski 156/161 e AfterCompletion of the Web treatment the 3,620,872 11/1971 Backwell 1.156/231 web is stripped from the belt and removed from the apparatus.

17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 55 K /4 /6 L535 62 /2 40 I V f ,2 e 32 e 13L 26 g I I 58 72 APPARATUS FOR REGISTRATION TREATMENT OF PLASTIC WEBSThe present invention relates to a method and apparatus for registrationweb processing and in particular to a method and apparatus for printingor otherwise treating a stretchable web in a plurality of processingsteps, with each of the processing steps being performed inregistration.

A number of various machines and methods previously have been proposedfor registration printing or other treatment of sheet or web fedmaterials which are used to form decals, labels, prints, bags and thelike. However, such previously proposed apparatus have not been entirelysatisfactory when used on connection with a stretchable web materialsuch as those formed of thermoplastic materials. Such materials have asubstantial amount of stretchability,so that when they are treated in acontinuous process, it is exceedingly difficult to maintain registrationbetween each of the treating steps due to the stretching of the webmaterial. For example, when performing multicolor printing operations oroperations in which printing and embossing are combined, it is difficultto maintain the previously printed colors in registration withsubsequently printed colors or embossing because the web materialstretches or flexes between the successive printing steps. Where thematerial is to be treated on both sides the problem of maintainingregistration becomes substantially greater. In fact, when treatingstretchable material on both sides, most previously proposed systems donot do so with a continuous web. Rather, the web material is initiallycut into sheets, with each individual sheet being separately registeredat a processing station, printed witha single color or embossing, andthen removed and re-registered, manually, at a subsequent station forthe next printing or embossing operation, thereby to insureproper'registration between successive printing or embossing steps.Heretofore, it has not been possible to accurately register successiveprinting and embossing steps on a stretchable materialin a continuousprocess wherein the material is supplied as a continuous web.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to performaccurate registration multicolor printing and embossing of astretchableplastic web in a continouus process.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus which will accurately print and/or emboss a continuousstretchable plastic web with a series of registered printed or embosseddesigns thereon.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method andapparatus of the character described which is relatively simple andinexpensive in operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention an apparatus .forregistration printing and/or embossing of a continuous web ofstretchable thermoplastic material is provided which includes aplurality of individual work stations including at least two webprinting and/or embossing stations. An endless substantiallynonstretchable belt is mounted in the apparatus for continuous movementthrough each of these stations. At a first station in the apparatus alow peel strength adhesive is applied to substantially the entiresurface of one side of the belt. At a second station, downstream fromthis first station in the direction of travel of the belt, a continuousweb of stretchable thermoplastic materialv is supplied into contact withthe adhesive and firmly pressed against the adhesive by a pair of pinchrollers so that the web is held in a relatively fixed position by thebelt and does not stretch during subsequent operations.

The carrier belt has a plurality of openings formed therein which defineindividual work areasexposing the side of the web facing the belt sothat that side can be presented for treatment at subsequent processingstations. In addition, the belt has a plurality of registrationapertures located along at least one edge'thereof in predeterminedspaced locations with respect toeach other and to the work areas.

The stretchable thermoplastic web which is supplied to the belt has awidth that is narrower than the belt and wider than the openings thereinso as to completely cover the work areas while leaving the aperturesalong the edge of the belt exposed. These apertures cooperate withregistration maintaining devices at the subsequent web processingstations in the apparatus so that the work areas, and thus the designsprinted on the belt at the work areas, are maintained in registration ateach of the processing stations.

After the web is adhered to the carrier belt, the belt transports theweb to the first of a series of processing stations at which one side ofthe web is treated, such as for example, by a silk screening process orby an embossing process. Subsequently, the belt I sequentiallytransports the web to the remaining processing stations at which otherprinting or embossing operations are performed in registration with theprinting or embossing performed at the prior stations. Registrationbetween operations at each of the processing stations is maintained by aSeries of sprocket rollers operatively connected with the various webtreatment means, which sprocket rollers include sprockets received inthe apertures on the belt so as to accurately position the belt at theprocessing stations. Drive means for the various web treatment means andfor the belt, drives the various components of the apparatus insynchronism so that, in cooperation with the sprocket rollers,registration is maintained throughout the apparatus.

Finally, downstream of the last of the webprocessing stations, astripper knife or the like is provided for removing the web from thebelt.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be apparent in the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of an apparatus, constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, forregistration printing and- /or embossing of a stretchable thermoplasticweb;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the thermoplastic webafter it is adhered to the carrier belt;

H6. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the endless carrier belt; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of one of the drivesprockets showing its cooperation with the carrier belt.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and initially to FIG. 1 thereof,it will be seen that an apparatus 10, for use in registration printingand/or embossing of a stretchable plastic web or the like, includes anendless carrier belt 12 guided over a plurality of sprocket rollers 14.Belt 12 and rollers 14 are mounted in a support frame (not shown) whichdefines a plurality of operating stations along the path of travel ofthe belt. The latter is driven in the direction of the arrows in thedrawing-by at least'two drive rollers 16, driven from a conventionalsource of power in any convenient manner.

Carrier belt 12 is formed of a relatively nonstretchable material, suchas stainless steel or the like, and, as seen in FIG. 3 has a pluralityof openings 18 therein located in longitudinal alignment along theentire length of the belt. These openings define work areas at which theprinting or embossing processes and the like are performed on the web tobe treated. In addition,- belt 12 has a plurality of registrationapertures 20 formed along its longitudinal side edges 22 inpredetermined spaced relation to each other, and to the work areas 18,so that the work areas are presented in the same relative position ateach of the work stations in the apparatus to insure proper registrationof the various web treatment processes, as is more fully describedhereinafter.

Initially, belt 12 passes through a' first work station 24 at'which asupply of adhesive 26 is contained .within a tank 28 or the like. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the adhesive which is utilized isof a conventional type having a quick tack, with good shear strength,but with poor peel strength; e.g., a conventional water soluble caseinglue. The adhesive is transferred from a first roller 30 toanapplicating roller 32 which is in contact with both roller 30 and theside 34 of belt 12 so that the adhesive is applied to the belt. Inaddition, a pressing or pinch roller 36 urges belt 12 into contact withroller 32 to assure proper and even application of the adhesive to the.belt. In this manner, substantially the entire surface of the belt side34 is coated with the adhesive; however, work areas l8'remain open andare free of adhesive.

From station 24, belt 12 moves about the'two end rollers 14 to a secondstation 38. Itis noted that rollers 14 are provided with a plurality ofradially extending sprockets or cogs 40 which are received in andcooperate with apertures 20 in belt 12 to prevent slippage of the beltduring its travel over the rollers, thereby assisting in maintenance ofregistration of the various operations described'hereinafter. v

At station 38, a supply roll 42 is mounted for rotation in the frame ofthe apparatus and contains a continuous web of stretchable materialwound thereon. In one embodiment of the present invention, the materialwhichv As a result, the web is firmly adhered to the belt.

Preferably, web 44 has a width which is narrower than the total width ofbelt 12 but larger than the width of work areas 18 so that the apertures20 remain exposed during operation. of the apparatus, but work beenshown by dotted lines in FIG. 3.) As a result, the top surface 48 of web44 is exposed for treatment, as

areas 18 are completely covered by the web. (This has I is the lowersurface 50 thereof, through work areas 18.

After passing through pinch rollers 46, web 44, having been adhered-tobelt 12 passes therewith to a first processing station 52 at which afirst web treatment operation takes place. In one embodimentof theinvention processing station 52 includes a silk screen printingmechanism 54 of conventional construction which is adapted to apply asingle color in apredetermined design on the top surface 48 of web 44.Printing mechanism 54 includes a sprocket roller 56 operativelyassociated therewith that includes a plurality of radially projectingsprockets 58 received in'and cooperating with apertures 20 on belt 12 tomaintain accurate movement of the belt and to assure registration of thework areas 18 beneath the printing mechanism.

From station 52 belt 12 and web 44 pass to station 60, immediatelydownstream of station 52 in the direction of travel of belt 12, at whicha second printing device or the like 62 is located. This printing devicemay also be of the silk screen type, or of the spray painting type orthe like, which is adapted to decorate surface 50 of web 44 through workareas 18 in belt 12. This printing mechanism also includes a sprocketroller 64, similar to sprocket roller 56, which maintains web 44 andbelt 12 in accurate alignment with the printing device and to maintainthe work areas in registration therewith. v 1

As mentioned, the belt 12 is driven through sprocket rollers 16, from aconventional power source (not shown) which power source is operativelyconnected to simultaneously drive the printingdevices 54, 56 and theother web processing devices of the apparatus. The drive system is ofconventional construction, as would be apparent to those skilled in theart, so that the printing devices and other web processing apparatus areoperated in synchronism. Moreover, the drive can be continuous orintermittent as desired. In addition, the drive can be adjusted toeffect printing at each of the work areas 18, or at selected, evenlyspaced work areas as desired. Thus, by properly arranging therlelative'positions of stations 52, and the other stations of theapparatus, it would be apparent that a work area 18v will be below theprinting station 54, in proper registration with the printing apparatustherein, and at the same time, another work area 18 is at station 60 inproper registration with the printing device there. In this manner, whenprinting occurs at these stations the various designs printed therebywill be in registration with each other so as to form an accuratelyprinted completely registered multicolor design.

Fr'om station 60 belt 12 and web 44 pass tional processing, station 66,at which other processing steps can be performed. For example, anadditional silk screen printing apparatus or thelike can be positionedon the interior of belt 12 to print an additional color on the surface50 of web 44 in registrationwith the previously printed colors. Inaddition, a sheet of protective clear vinyl material 72 can be appliedtothe surface 48 ,of the web 44 at that point.

From station 66 the web moves to station 74 at which a heat orelectronic sealing apparatus 76 is located which embosses the surface 48of web 44 and seals web 72 to the web 44, so as to form athree-dimensional design at each of the work areas 18. An additionalsprocket roller 78 is provided in association with heat sealingapparatus 76 to assure proper registration beto an addi-.

tween the embossments and the printed designs on the web. Of course, itis to be understood that various printing and embossing components ofthe invention are of relatively conventional construction and theirarrangement and operation in conjunction with the belt 12 of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and thereforeneed not be described herein in detail. It will also be understood bythose skilled in the art that other web treatment operations can beperformed on the web 44 and that the sequence of these operations may bevaried as desired, in order to produce the desired final design of web44. For example, at various operating stations the web may be spraypainted to provide a single background color or it may be gold leafstamped in a conventional manner to provide metallized areas on thesurface thereof. In any case, it is to be remembered that an importantfeature of the invention is the provision of belt 12 having workapertures therein, which belt, with the adhesive 26, firmly securesstretchable web 44 on the surface of the belt to permit the variousoperations to be performed in registration.

From station 74, belt 12 and web 44 pass through a stripping station 80at which a knife bar 82 is located.

This bar has a knife edge 84 which is positioned adjacent belt 12 andserves to strip web 44 from the belt by breaking the bond between theadhesive layer 26 and belt 12. The completed web 44 is then collected inany convenient manner, such as for example in container 86, for laterprocessing. Such processing may consist of cutting the various designsprinted in each of the work areas 18 to shape for later sale.

The now stripped belt 12 passes to a cleaning station 88 at which asolution 90 is applied by a roller or brush 92 to the lower surface 34of belt 12. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the adhesiveutilized is water soluble and solution 90 is water which, when appliedto belt 12, dissolves the glue and thereby cleans the belt. A pinchroller 94 is mounted in the frame of the apparatus adjacent roller 92 tourge belt 12 into direct contact with roller 92 to insure propercleaning thereof.

Finally, downstream of cleaning station 88 a drying station 98 isprovided at which air streams are directed to the lower surface 34 ofbelt 12..to dry the water placed thereon. The air streams are suppliedthrough a pair of nozzles 100 or the like from a conventional airsource.

It is also to be understood that where a non-water soluble adhesive isutilized in connection with the present invention, solution 90 would bea compatible solvent for the adhesive used. The adhesive, as mentionedabove, may be of any conveniently available type, so long as it has aquick tack, good shear strength and 1 poor peel strength. This isrequired since the quick tack insures a quick adhesion of the web 44 tothe belt and the shear strength of the adhesive prevents slippage of web44 on belt 12 during processing at each of the various processingstations or during movement around the rollers 14. On the other hand,the poor peel strength permits the web 44 to be readily removed frombelt 12 at stripping station 80.

Accordingly, it is seen that a relatively simple and inexpensiveapparatus is provided which is capable of providing multicolorregistration printing and/or embossing on a stretchable thermoplasticweb in a continuous process by adhering the stretchable web 44 to therigid belt 12, with a good shear strength adhesive. Web 44 thus is fixedin position with respect to the belt so that it can be presented at eachof theoperating stations with a previously printed design thereon inproper registration with the printing or embossing device at thatstation. This feature has not been possible with previously proposedprinting arrangements because of the fact that the plastic materialtends to stretch when treated or handled and no known previouslyproposed device provided a solution to overcome this problem.

- tions, an endless belt mounted in said apparatus for movement througheach of said stations, means at a first station for applying an adhesiveto one side of said belt, means at a second station, downstream of saidfirst station in the direction of travel of said belt, for supplying apreformed continuous web into contact with said adhesive whereby the webis firmly adhered to said belt; said belt having a plurality of openingsof predetermined configuration formed therein defining dis crete workareas which expose predetermined portions of the web at the side of saidweb facing said belt for treatment at said processing stations, means atone of said processing stations for performing a first web treatmentoperation on one side of said web at said predetermined portions of theweb and means at another of said processing stations for performing asecond web treatment operation on the opposite side of said web at saidpredetermined portions thereof, said web treatment means including meanscooperating with said belt for maintaining said work areas inregistration with each other at said first andsecond web processingstations whereby the processes performed at said processing stations onthe opposite sides of said predetermined portions of the web areperformed in registration with each other, and means, downstream of saidweb processing stations for removing said web from said belt.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim lwherein said belt is a relativelyflat sheet including integral longitudinal edge portions, at least oneof said edge portions having a plurality of apertures formed therein andlocated in predetermined spaced relation to each other and to saidopenings for cooperation with said registration maintaining means.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said web is formed of astretchable material having a width that is narrower than said belt andwider than said openings thereby to completely cover said openings todefine predetermined portions of the web, while leaving said aperturesexposed.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said registrationmaintaining means includes a sprocket roller operatively connected toits associated web treatment means and having a plurality of sprocketsthereon 7 adapted to be received in said belt apertures for guiding saidbelt through said apparatus.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 including means for driving saidweb treatment means in synchronism with each other.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein one of said web treatmentmeans comprises means for silk screen printing on said web.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein one of said web treatmentstations comprises means for applying a film to the surface of said weband for heat sealing said film to said web.

I *8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 including termined portionsthereof, said web treatment means 11. Apparatus for registrationprocessing of a continuous web of stretchable material comprising, aplurality of work stations including at least two web processingstations, an endless substantially non-stretchable belt mounted in saidapparatus for movement through each of said stations, means at a firststation for applying a low peel strength adhesive to one side of saidbelt, means at a second station downstream of said first station in thedirection of travel of said belt, for supplying a continuous web of saidstretchable material into contact with said adhesive, a pair of pinchrollers located at said second station on opposite sides of said beltand pressing said web against the adhesive on said belt to firmly adherethe web to the belt; said belt having a plurality of openings ofpredetermined configurationformed therein defining discrete individualwork areas exposing predetermined portions of the web at the side of theweb facing the belt for treatment at said processing stations and aplurality of registration apertures located along at least one edge ofsaid belt in preeach including a sprocket roller operatively connectedtherewith and having sprockets thereon adapted to be received in saidapertures for maintaining said first and second web treatment operationsin registration with each other whereby the processes performed at saidprocessing stations on the opposite sides of said predetermined portionsof the web are performed in registration with each other, means fordriving said web treatment means in synchronism, and means, downstreamof said web processing stations, for removing said web from said belts.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said web is formed froma stretchable thermoplastic material.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said web removing meanscomprises an elongated knife blade extending across the width of saidbelt.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein one of said webtreatment means comprises means for silk screen printing on said web.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein one I of said webtreatment means comprises means for apincludes means for applying waterto said belt.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .CERTIFICATE CQRRECTION Patent No. 3,8'+O,42l Dated October 8, 197

Invent flx) Everett A. Peterson It is certified that error appears inthe above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Page 1, after the invent'or's name, insert the following caption: v

"[ 3] igneez' Peterson Electronic Die 00., Inc.

' Mineola, New York Signed "and sealed this 3rd day of December 1974.-

(SEAL) Attest: U

moor MJG-TBSQN JR. c. MARSHALL DANN. 'Attesting Officer T 1 Commissionerof Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 FQRM PO-1050 (10-69) y u.sv covenants?rnmrmc omen an 08l -l84,

1. Apparatus for registration processing of opposite sides of acontinuous web comprising, a plurality of work stations including atleast two web processing stations, an endless belt mounted in saidapparatus for movement through each of said stations, means at a firststation for applying an adhesive to one side of said belt, means at asecond station, downstream of said first station in the direction oftravel of said belt, for supplying a preformed continuous web intocontact with said adhesive whereby the web is firmly adhered to saidbelt; said belt having a plurality of openings of predeterminedconfiguration formed therein defining discrete work areas which exposepredetermined portions of the web at the side of said web facing saidbelt for treatment at said processing stations, means at one of saidprocessing stations for performing a first web treatment operation onone side of said web at said predetermined portions of the web and meansat another of said processing stations for performing a second webtreatment operation on the opposite side of said web at saidpredetermined portions thereof, said web treatment means including meanscooperating with said belt for maintaining said work areas inregistration with each other at said first and second web processingstations whereby the processes performed at said processing stations onthe opposite sides of said predetermined portions of the web areperformed in registration with each other, and means, downstream of saidweb processing stations for removing said web from said belt.
 2. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said belt is a relatively flatsheet including integral longitudinal edge portions, at least one ofsaid edge portions having a plurality of apertures formed therein andlocated in predetermined spaced relation to each other and to saidopenings for cooperation with said registration maintaining means. 3.The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said web is formed of astretchable material having a width that is narrower than said belt andwider than said openings thereby to completely cover said openings todefine predetermined portions of the web, while leaving said aperturesexposed.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein saidregistration maintaining means includes a sprocket roller operativelyconnected to its associated web treatment means and having a pluralityof sprockets thereon adapted to be received in said belt apertures forguiding said belt through said apparatus.
 5. The apparatus as defined inclaim 4 including means for driving said web treatment means insynchronism with each other.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5wherein one of said web treatment means comprises means for silk screenprinting on said web.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein oneof said web treatment stations comprises means for applying a film tothe surface of said web and for heat sealing said film to said web. 8.The apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means, downstream of saidweb removing means for washing said belt.
 9. The apparatus as defined inclaim 8 including means, downstream of said washing means, for dryingsaid belt prior to application of said adhesive at said first station.10. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 including a pair of pinchrollers respectively located on opposite sides of said belt at saidsecond station for pressing said web against the adhesive on said belt.11. Apparatus for registration processing of a continuous web ofstretchable material comprising, a plurality of work stations includingat least two web processing stations, an endless substantiallynon-stretchable belt moUnted in said apparatus for movement through eachof said stations, means at a first station for applying a low peelstrength adhesive to one side of said belt, means at a second stationdownstream of said first station in the direction of travel of saidbelt, for supplying a continuous web of said stretchable material intocontact with said adhesive, a pair of pinch rollers located at saidsecond station on opposite sides of said belt and pressing said webagainst the adhesive on said belt to firmly adhere the web to the belt;said belt having a plurality of openings of predetermined configurationformed therein defining discrete individual work areas exposingpredetermined portions of the web at the side of the web facing the beltfor treatment at said processing stations and a plurality ofregistration apertures located along at least one edge of said belt inpredetermined spaced locations with respect to each other and to saidopenings; said web having a width that is narrower than said belt andwider than said opening thereby to completely cover said work areaswhile leaving said apertures exposed, means at one of said processingstations for preforming a first web treatment operation on one side ofsaid at said predetermined portions of the web and means at another ofsaid processing stations for performing a second web treatment operationon the opposite side of said web at the predetermined portions thereof,said web treatment means each including a sprocket roller operativelyconnected therewith and having sprockets thereon adapted to be receivedin said apertures for maintaining said first and second web treatmentoperations in registration with each other whereby the processesperformed at said processing stations on the opposite sides of saidpredetermined portions of the web are performed in registration witheach other, means for driving said web treatment means in synchronism,and means, downstream of said web processing stations, for removing saidweb from said belts.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 whereinsaid web is formed from a stretchable thermoplastic material.
 13. Theapparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said web removing meanscomprises an elongated knife blade extending across the width of saidbelt.
 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein one of said webtreatment means comprises means for silk screen printing on said web.15. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein one of said webtreatment means comprises means for applying a film to the surface ofsaid web and for heat sealing said film to said web.
 16. The apparatusas defined in claim 15 including means, downstream of said web removingmeans for washing said belt.
 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16wherein said adhesive is water soluble glue and said washing meansincludes means for applying water to said belt.